WILD SWIMMING IN DARTMOOR 😬 ❄️ - Castle Drogo to Fingle Bridge Walk

Hands down my favourite walk in Dartmoor National Park Devon, UK - Castle Drogo National Trust to Fingle Bridge circular hike featuring a very cold November wild swim in Dartmoor! The only place I have been wild swimming in the U.K and therefore my favourite wild swimming spot! I hope you enjoy, please give it a thumbs up if you do!
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Music provided by Epidemic Sounds.
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Thanks all! Lots of love, Kat xo

[@KathrynChalk]

I hope you enjoy, the wild swim is around 7 minutes in! :) xxx

[@timoteocatayenjr5786]

Hi may idol 💕 friends shout add

[@jeremymoon1]

That was amazing vlog video kat's nice swimsuit and swimming in lake it looks awesome

[@marcusbines7965]

Thank you with pictures you look that's you have fantastic time

[@kopronko]

Thank you dear sister :-)

[@Thechemikalbro]

There's a true sign your at one with nature when a curious Robin pop's by to say hello. 👍

[@KathrynChalk]

Awh it was so sweet, other than when it brought up its food ha

[@OhnoesJG]

I love you You have a special healing energy Adventurous and carefree but also with a hint of true grit. Never stop being you, kat.

[@Rustee42]

We always park behind the church at Drewsteignton and walk a section of the two moors way to the top path, turn right and head towards Drogo, but lower down the valley. The walk down alongside the river is fantastic, and you can loop back at fingle bridge to avoid the very steep hunter's path.

[@SEGOR993]

At tip for wild swimming is to get in as soon as you have your clothes off, the longer you wait the colder you’ll be before even entering the water. Learnt that one the hard way 🤣. A good rule of thumb is only to stay in for one minute per degree C° of water temperature. Amazing video well done 👍🏼.

[@KathrynChalk]

Thank you!! Yesss it's not my expertise, but thank you for the tips. I'll remember for future :)!

[@knowlzey12]

I’m shivering just watching. Looks great though well done!

[@KathrynChalk]

Aha yeah it makes me shiver still too!

[@Weliketojumpandstuff]

Good job getting back in for more!!

[@KathrynChalk]

✨✨🥶🥶 xx

[@jim5549]

Brrrr! The look on your face after your first dip said it all! Glad you survived it!

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha I know right! Speechless but very rewarding 😊🙌🏼 thanks for watching!

[@severnboreboy]

Going in twice, total respect

[@KathrynChalk]

Bit more elegant the second time 😂

[@CherylMuir]

What a beautiful place for a dip ❤️

[@KathrynChalk]

It really is!

[@caravaggiosaccomplice7841]

You have a natural gift for story telling. Thanks.😁

[@dongdipperadventures6565]

Loved it (was going to watch it tonight but couldn't wait) best bit was before you got in the water, having the conversation with yourself that we all do before getting into cold water 🤣🤣 can't wait for the next vid 😊👍

[@KathrynChalk]

Thanks so much hahaa! Has to be done 😂❄️🥶

[@Jason-dp9ui]

what good fun, what a lovely thing to do,, take care

[@knightstemplar8977]

Very brave girl. That Robin came to watch too 🙂. Well done 👍 Paul 👌

[@KathrynChalk]

Awh he was so sweet, other than bringing up his worm 😅 thanks for watching!!

[@eon7125]

Thank you for sharing. 🌺

[@KathrynChalk]

Thank you for watching. 🌞

[@AnthonyJohnson1]

KZbin has just recommended this video to me. Really pleased they did as I really enjoyed watching it. Will check out your others now. I’d really like to have a go at wild swimming but I can’t swim, so maybe not just yet 😆. Great video and well done con taking the plunge 👍

[@KathrynChalk]

Awh thanks so much Anthony, probably my favourite video I’ve done so got to stick to this standard now haha. Ah never too old to learn 😌 all the best!

[@yoyo150590]

Well done Kat! 🥶

[@KathrynChalk]

Thanks Martin! Hope all is well 🙌🏼✨

[@suzyprice7559]

Enjoyed that thank you, such a lovely swim spot and you can go in further down too by the big stones, I found it easier when it's cold to go in beside the pontoon, not so much of a shock then launching yourself off the end 😊 well done though x

[@KathrynChalk]

Very true and probably more elegant haha! Thank you!!

[@nickoutdoors85]

What a beautiful and inspiring film 😊

[@KathrynChalk]

Thank you so much! :) Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@retribution999]

Well done! Beautiful scenery, lovely walk, great video. I know that water was freezing cold.

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha yes it was!!

[@youreright3664]

How sweet.... bless you..... your braver than many... including me....

[@TheBaroqueprincess]

Definitely going there. Wild swimming is on my 2022 list.

[@ragnar8835]

🥰 fantastic vlog swimming every day 👍

[@KathrynChalk]

Thank you! Xx

[@helenheggadon6324]

Well done. I want to try this. Baby step today a bude sea pool. Want to keep going through out the seasons but defo starting in the summer. Albeit cold wet summer day. 😂

[@KathrynChalk]

Ah thanks for watching Helen - I have a vlog from us at the Bude sea pool - it was still chilly but nothing like this. You're deffo doing the right thing aha the water is probably warmer than the land in our current weather!!

[@alexanderwheeler4827]

Jeepers kid your hardcore. I felt cold watching this from my couch. Enjoyed the vlog.

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha thank you!!

[@janebythesea3567]

Thank you so much for your video. We share the same value 😍

[@KathrynChalk]

Awh thank you 😌😌

[@kibeard007]

A lovely river the Teign🙂.

[@pyaari_entertainment]

What a great place for swimming

[@KathrynChalk]

It really is a lush spot :) thanks for watching!

[@karenguttridge]

You did brilliantly getting in that water so quickly! 😊👍 I go sea swimming in Poole 3 times a week (my first time going through the winter!) but I have to ease myself in squealing every time 😂 It’s such a wonderful feeling for the rest of the day though 😍 Have subscribed as you’re in an area not too far from me so giving me great ideas of where to visit 😊👍

[@KathrynChalk]

Hahaa oh I shortened how long it really took 😂! Second time was a lot easier though. Thanks so much for subscribing! 😌

[@garyengland9549]

You did it 💪 you didn’t wimp out 👍

[@twesterholm]

Awesome Well done

[@KathrynChalk]

Thankyaaa

[@ashleyfoster987]

Easily your best vlog to date Kat. Really interesting, nicely edited and lots of great shots. You are getting so much more confident talking to the camera. You have such a laid back nature but I never fail to smile at your little quirks. For example; choosing which mince pie to eat and the little ‘hmm’ noise you make when you decide (the relief when you finally get the lid off the tea is similarly hilarious)😂. Breathing like you are in labour when you are getting out of the water and the way you talk because your lips are so numb😂. Best of all talking to a robin like you are Snow White only for it to then regurgitate a worm! So funny.🤣 Keep up the good work!👍🏼

[@KathrynChalk]

This is by far the best comment to date!! Thank you so much Ashley ☺️☺️☺️ one of my favourites to film and edit too, thank you so much! 💞💞💞

[@ashleyfoster987]

@@KathrynChalk You’re welcome! I did re-read my comment after I posted it and was slightly worried that you might think ‘Hey! It’s not supposed to be funny!’😬

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

1000th subscriber.

[@stevemcgowan3017]

Well done kat.I found the longer you swim the more accustomed you get to temperature.I swam at Looe Cornwall and came out too early should have swam bit longer and this was end may.swam at Penzance in august was lot warmer 17degrees temp people said..😊

[@KathrynChalk]

Oh gosh I haven’t swam for so long! I think you are right though 🥹 this was freezing

[@wookie110240]

Looks cold!

[@KathrynChalk]

oh it was. All recovered now!! Ha

[@tonymaries1652]

Thumbs up from me for a nice winter walk on a crisp winter day. It looks as though you made it back to your car before darkness! In winter I can be inclined to walk further than there is daylight for and I am no stranger to having to dig my head torch out of my rucksack for the last half hour!!! Can't comment on swimming, as I can barely manage tame swimming in a pool. Half of humankind seems to take to water like a duck but I am part of the other half. You can blame that on a Midlands childhood and the nearest sea the dubious pleasure of Skeggy!

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha yess just in time after running a bit! Ha maybe this year is the time to embrace! 🥶 🏊‍♀️

[@BartsAway]

Great Vlog. We love this walk! In fact we filmed our new vlog around the river down there. All the best :)

[@KathrynChalk]

Ah thank you, it's so beautiful! Great I'll go check it out!

[@rebeccamajor8232]

This whole adventure looked so fun, really enjoyed watching. Not sure I would be keen to brave it without my wetsuit though, brr! Have you been in the Bude seapool? Was there in Jan and the locals were doing laps like it was midsummer, they are next level!

[@KathrynChalk]

Heya! Awh thank you so much 😊😊 appreciate it! Ha gosh I know, chilly as. I haven’t been in myself but I go to Bude regularly and love it! Next time for sure 😍 xx

[@deanhumphries7878]

God your brave, That looked really Cold.

[@KathrynChalk]

It was! 😬

[@horndog7357]

Dammm England got some awesome sights, like from aotearoa new Zealand

[@KathrynChalk]

So many beautiful places!!

[@maakeklein4073]

Yeh I was so proud of myself swimming in the hutt river in September. Now I just feel pathetic compared to this! Guess it's a start tho.

[@dartmoormole]

Your a braver soul than me!

[@darrenthomas4406]

Fantastic Vlog, makes me miss home! PS matching socks for Xmas? 😂

[@KathrynChalk]

Hahaa I was hoping no one would notice. Other had a hole in it so on the Xmas list 😂 yes where are you these days?!

[@darrenthomas4406]

@@KathrynChalk I’m out in Cyprus 🇨🇾 till Mid January so can’t really complain. The sun is shinning which helps.... I do miss the green hills of Devon though. I’ll look forward to your next Vlog.

[@KathrynChalk]

Awh amazing! Yeah it’s cold and grey here, still love it though. Enjoy and thanks, not sure what’s up next! 😊

[@ashleyfoster987]

Ha ha, I noticed the odd socks!😂

[@Daveonarave]

Looks lush and I keep saying I'm going to get into this wild swimming malarkey for mental benefit as well as physical. But if truth be known I always worry something might be in there even though I know UK is safe so I stick to pools which of course keep closing :( Well done you though keep it up :)

[@KathrynChalk]

It really is, this was my first proper go in the cold. Felt goood but not sure if it’ll be a reoccurring thing ha! All the best 😌

[@ItsMe-io5bl]

You brave brave woman! its cold enough in the summer in a lake (lake district) bet you were glad of your brew. That little robin was probably hanging around you waiting for you to stir up some fallen leaves. They hang around people and large animals when food is thin on the ground as they usually disturb the ground exposing tiny insects. If you spot another while out n about - try it, scrape back a patch of loose leaves and vegetation and sit back out the way, guarantee youll have a robin straight in for a look. 😊👍P.s. well put together video too

[@KathrynChalk]

Awhhh I did not know that! Thank you I’ll remember for next time x

[@mapleleafer74]

Amazing countryside, swim and your smile to compliment it all! I just moved to Devon for my new job, swam a few times in the Dart new Ashburton, under a bridge. I love wild swimming and want to meet others who share my love of cold water! Kat you're a star, I relate to your reluctance to get in, but well done, plunging is the answer! That Robin red breast knew you were a nature lover. I love that you reward yourself with some nice food in the evening, I do it too! How long do you swim typically at that temp? So cool.

[@KathrynChalk]

Thank you so much!! I saw your email and will reply shortly That robin was lovely, what a little treat. Good luck, I don't often go wild swimming so I'm not the best on any advice or people ha. I wasn't in for that long, second time was easier though. All the best, Kat

[@WyeExplorer]

That was full of good and funny vibes Kat. I'm new to your channel but on account of your loveliness and bravery I will return for sure. I open water swim but am not so much of a winter swimmer although a few have challenged me to do so. Any plans to get b ack in? Perhaps when iced over - ha ha! Well, a love the fresh days and like you always up for a view and they were good views to. Well, all the best. That was fun. Mark

[@KathrynChalk]

Hi Mark, thanks so much for watching! 😌 oh my I think that’s it for this year now though it was sooo rewarding. Can understand how people live by it. Such lovely views. Very lucky. Kat x

[@WyeExplorer]

@@KathrynChalk A pleasure Kat. Yeah I can understand that. It feels a tad alien to us but is one big buzz for sure. Yes blessed with all the great visuals. Peace!

[@funkymonkey1968]

You are proper nails!!

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha thank you! It was cold assss

[@sebsmith1321]

Good work! 🙌 Looks cold 🥶 your poor lips! 😂

[@KathrynChalk]

Omg I know 😂😖 so cold! But worth it, thanks for watching!

[@marcusbines7965]

I love dartmoor is fantastic place ❤ and power 🔋 earth 🌎 energy s

[@KathrynChalk]

Agreeee

[@marcusbines7965]

@@KathrynChalk good morning thanks you have fantastic fun wish I was there good time s with mother and father now loss them am Marcus looking at going to Moor s time away

[@marcusbines7965]

@@KathrynChalk so have been in the water to day

[@leroygibb9243]

Hey take care with that cold water swimming. You need to mentally prepare and relax into it. No shaking and dithering. Especially if alone. I used to cold water and ice swim when I lived in Finland .

[@KathrynChalk]

Thank you for the reply! Noted. Luckily I wasn't alone, there was my partner with me throughout who also went in :) I wouldn't dare go in on my own! Finland - amazing!

[@felipecorrea9075]

Kat, do you happen to know what was the water temperature that day?

[@bigdrums9905]

Well done you - I've done that walk down to Fingles Bridge, but never found anywhere to swim, did you go downstream from Fingles Bridge or upstream? Thanks for sharing.

[@KathrynChalk]

We went upstream 😊 so down from the castle then through the gate up/right from the cafe and it’s way up there

[@jeanmarie40]

Weren't you cold when you got out of the water? What was the outside temperature?

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha yes I was! The floor was the coldest part, warmer out of the water though 😌

[@aeward1982]

Can I ask which bit of the river this is? How far from the actual fingle Bridge, pub etc? Upstream?

[@KathrynChalk]

It’s upstream yup; 5:28 mins in shows where I walk onwards and what to look out for on the way. Probs 20mins ish walk if that xx

[@jopac]

Hey kath im from.phlillipines

[@angrypants7619]

Hi, something i really want to try, curious if you leave your swimsuit on after your swim to make it quicker for changing. Just subscribed, stay safe.

[@KathrynChalk]

I can’t remember on this occasion but recommend to get fully changed after or you’ll get even more chilly in a damp suit if you’ve got a long trek afterwards. But yup, it does make it quicker and easier keeping it on if you haven’t got far to go! Good luck. X

[@angrypants7619]

@@KathrynChalk many thanks.

[@jeremymoon1]

Wow ma'am I love your blonde hair looks amazing and wearing a swimsuit 🩱 looks so good swimming underwater nice video by the way

[@lansdorf]

Well done ,though I was worried please dont go in water where you can't touch the bottom

[@KathrynChalk]

It’s shallower than it looks and smooth rocks underneath. People were around also :) not something I would do often on my own likewise with surfing, try and stay close to others!

[@steffentreml1685]

How cold was the water?

[@KathrynChalk]

Oh gosh I have no idea temp wise, should of taken a measurement. Maybe 8/9 degrees?? Chilly!

[@LornaShoreBabe]

Do you have a map or coordinates for the wild swim spot please? Looking to do a wild swim for charity and this looks like the perfect place!! Thank you!!

[@KathrynChalk]

Hey sorry I don't have the co ordinates, but from the single bridge sign take the right (cafe on the left) and then continue for a good maybe 15/20 minutes, it's not hard to miss when you are walking there :) Hope that helps! And good luckkk

[@braxfan683]

Well done. Good on yah ❄💦☕

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha thank you.

[@nigelheathcote6084]

Wild swimming?, wild camping?, trad climbing? . What ever happened to swimming, camping and climbing, so much more glamorous these days.

[@KathrynChalk]

Ha that's a very valid point... I guess for me my swimming is usually in a swimming pool or the sea, so this was 'wild'! :')

[@horndog7357]

Dam u tough

[@KathrynChalk]

Haha I tried 😂

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

We’re you by yourself? If so you could have drowned. I was with some friends a few years ago in a very hot summer. We went to a local woods on the edge of a reservoir and thought it a good idea to jump in to cool off. There was a Tarzan swing on a branch overhanging it so I swing out and jumped in. The water was freezing and my muscles just seized up due to the shock and down a I went. My mates were able to get me out fortunately but without them it could have been different. I am now very careful around water and made sure my 3 kids learned to swim at a very young age.

[@KathrynChalk]

Woho hello 1000th subscriber!! That’s so exciting 😊😊😊 oh gosh that doesn’t sound good! There were people around and I stayed right by the rocks, some of which you can stand on underneath. Been in the water since a young age so deffo know my limits especially when out surfing but agree, can happen to anyone for sure and wouldn’t be confident if there wasn’t anybody there! All the best x

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

@@KathrynChalk I know you know your stuff and obviously know what you are doing but I thought I was a good swimmer, must have been the difference between being scorching hot and suddenly dropping into the cold water that made my muscles lock up. You sensibly lowered yourself in to the water as did my rescuers. I have learned from my mistake. Great video though and I look forward to watching more of your videos as I’ve lots of time to kill during the lockdown. The scenery around there looks beautiful, just the thing that I enjoy photographing.

[@TylerKrasting]

Were you shivering at all??

[@KathrynChalk]

Ha yes I was! But lots of warmth after

[@TylerKrasting]

@@KathrynChalk you should do a video dedicated to you shivering/recovery. Great video though! Thank you for replying!!

[@Fumingzeus]

I wish you would take someone with you, just in case something happened. Well done though..

[@KathrynChalk]

I wasn’t on my own don’t worry, just filmed it and it ended up looking that way :)! Had company in and out of the water!

[@franchino88]

Never go wild swimming alone!

[@KathrynChalk]

I wasn’t alone don’t worry 😌 video editing just makes it look more solo!

[@franchino88]

@@KathrynChalk Ok have fun, thanks.

[@Ahuntsicspotter]

Swimming in the cold water not for me no thanks.

[@KathrynChalk]

haha each to their own eh!!

[@solochristo65]

So A woman hiking by herself is safe how?

[@KathrynChalk]

Solo female travel is very common. For the record, I wasn’t alone here but have been on many hikes on my own and felt safe 👍🏼

[@wiganfan3373]

It is simply SWIMMING for fuck sake, Stop adding wild to the front of activities just because they are outside